Kevin Blake

1:40 COOLMORE MOST IMPROVED MAIDEN 7F

This maiden was won by the high-class Moonlight Magic for Jim Bolger and Godolphin last season and the same team could provide this year’s winner in the shape of Clongowes. The son of New Approach made an encouraging debut at Navan earlier this month, finishing third to Finn McCool over a mile. He seems sure to improve from that and is likely to make a bold bid. The best of the rest could well be the Tim Doyle-trained Spanish Tenor, a son of Lope De Vega that is arguably the form pick based on his close second to Khukri at the Curragh last time.

Selection: CLONGOWES

Next best: Spanish Tenor

2.15 EQUINE ACRES HANDICAP 1M 2F

Not the biggest field, but competitive nonetheless and the Jim Bolger-trained Vintage Charm is given the nod. The daughter of Vocalised lost her way in the middle part of the season, but bounced back to form in a handicap at the Curragh last time when second to Jaqen H’Ghar. A repeat of that will be enough to see her go close again. The biggest danger to her could be the Johnny Murtagh-trained Pacodali and every drop of rain that falls will be a help to him.

Selection: VINTAGE CHARM

Next best: Pacodali

2:50 CORKRACECOURSE.IE NAVIGATION STAKES (LISTED) 1M 100YDS

An interesting clash between the three-year-olds and the older horses and the Aidan O’Brien-trained Black Hawk War may be able to take another step up in class ladder by winning it. This will be the son of War Front’s third start in less than two weeks, but he has already won a maiden and a winner’s race at Limerick in good style. This is a step up in class, but the longer trip will suit and he seems sure to make a bold bid. The older horse that sets the standard is the Paul Deegan-trained Sruthan who is well established at stakes level.

Selection: BLACK HAWK WAR

Next best: Sruthan

3:25 ANNUAL TICKET 2017 NURSERY HANDICAP 1M 100YDS

These are always tricky contests to decipher with any number of potential improvers lining up for them, but a chance is taken on the Michael O’Callaghan-trained Beast. The son of Makfi shaped nicely on his debut at the Curragh and, while he hasn’t gone forward from that in two subsequent starts, he looks well treated for his handicap debut and it wouldn’t surprise to see him run well. Of those with handicap form in the book, the Joe Murphy-trained Sea Haar makes appeal. Selection: BEAST

Next best: Sea Haar

4.00 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF (FILLIES) HANDICAP 1M 100YDS

The Tara Lee Cogan-trained Bobby Jean has run very well in both her starts this season and could be up to getting off the mark for the season in this. The five-year-old has been raised a total of 7lb for those two placed efforts, but is clearly in fine form and, with conditions to suit, she is likely to run another big race. The biggest danger to her looks to be the Harry Rogers-trained Gentil J, with the daughter of Jeremy having got off the mark at Listowel last time.

Selection: BOBBY JEAN

Next best: Gentil J

4:35 FOLLOW US ON TWITTER APPRENTICE HANDICAP (45-65) (DIV I) 1M 100YDS

Solid recent form is in short supply here and the Mark McNiff-trained Miss Ballygally stands out in that regard. The six-year-old has finished a solid second in each of her last two starts and has shown a clear ability to handle testing ground conditions if required. While her draw isn’t ideal, it shouldn’t hold her back from running another big race. The other one with solid recent form in the book is the Thomond O’Mara-trained Hatton Cross and he looks to have very good prospects under his promising young rider Sean Davis.

Selection: MISS BALLYGALLY

Next best: Hatton Cross

4:35 FOLLOW US ON TWITTER APPRENTICE HANDICAP (45-65) (DIV II) 1M 100YDS

Another handicap that boasts precious little solid recent form and a chance is taken on the Andrew Heffernan-trained Lomi’s Law. The four-year-old has yet to win in 12 career starts, but has shown more than her share of promise, including over this course and distance back in June when she was just touched off. The return to this softer surface should help her and it wouldn’t surprise to see her go close. Of the rest, the Thomond O’Mara-trained Avalanche has solid claims based on his recent third at Limerick.

Selection: LOMI’S LAW

Next best: Avalanche

5.40 CHRISTMAS PARTY PACKAGE MAIDEN 1M 100YDS

The Dermot Weld-trained Creme De La is the standard setter on form, but she has had eight tries and finished second on six occasions, so patience will be wearing thin with many. A potential improver amongst her opposition is the Jim Bolger-trained Fountain. The son of Pour Moi shaped quite nicely in behind Black Hawk War at Limerick last time and won’t need to improve much more to give Creme De La plenty to think about.

Selection: FOUNTAIN

Next best: Creme De La